Author Topic: Silhouette scope? (Read 1330 times)

nanaimoman · « **on:** January 27, 2005, 05:14:12 AM »

I'm currently using a 14x scope for my .22 silhouette shooting, but I'm thinking I might want to up it to a higher power. What is an ideal power for .22 silhouette shooting? I see some scopes go up to 36x, I'm just curious if this will make tracking the target easier?
Any advice is appreciated.

dave imas · « **Reply #1 on:** January 27, 2005, 05:51:27 AM »

i'm almost alone in this but i believe one of the most significant mistakes silhouette shooters make, especially relatively new shooters, is to use too much magnification. i've been using 6x for about 2 years and have recently graduated to 10x. Most, not all, of the top shooters are right around 20x - 24x. They have paid their dues however. They usually have an extremely solid foundation of classic shooting skills and are at a level where 95% of good match is what goes on in their head. Their stance, hold, breathing, trigger work, and follow-thru are, for the most part, second nature. They also continuously work to improve those skills. as a rule of thumb i'd suggest that if you can't see the bullet impact on your target then you aren't following thru well enough to warrant increasing your magnification. if you watch the movie consistently then more magnification may be a consideration.
dave imas

shootnchef · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2005, 09:52:54 AM »

As a sugestion I have been shooting 24* for a number of years. I tried a 36 awhile back but the power was just to much.
So my suggestion is to not go beyond 24
Chad Winstead

nanaimoman · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2005, 10:08:29 AM »

I'm looking to buy a "LEUPOLD Vari-X III 8.5-25x50mm LR TGT" with a target dot, from the advice in this thread I'm thinking this scope should be a good investment.

dave imas · « **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2005, 11:07:19 AM »

good choice. enjoy.

drover · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2005, 12:39:26 PM »

I must be turning into an old fogey but for the life of me I fail to see the advantage of a 50 mm lens and the long range target feature for a silhouette scope. After all silhouette matches are shot in the day time so how much light gathering do you really need. As far as the long range feature, matches are shot at 500 meters so just how much more elevation do you need.

I would prefer to have the extra 4 or so ounces that the scope weighs in the rifle and at a lower center of gravity rather than setting above the action where it is attempting to overcome the balance of the rifle.

As far as the need for over 20 power - WHY??? If you can't hit it with 20 power then more magnification is not going to help. As Dave alluded too much magnification can be more of an enemy than a friend.

You will gain more points by buying a lower power, say a 6.5 x 20 Leupold with 40mm lens, and spending the extra money on ammo for practice. If you reach the point that you can outshoot a 20 power scope then you are truly an exceptional shot.

hh4064 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2005, 06:39:52 AM »

My very first scope was a T16 weaver which worked very well for me for 4-5 years. I then switched to a 6.5x20xi40 and thought I was in Heaven. About 12 yrs ago I started using a 36x .............WOW my scores went wild. I almost over night went from mid 20s to low 30s in smallbore and have been there ever since. In highpower I started using a premier conversion 18x40x50.... My scores also improved from high teens to mid to high 20s. I personally think there is a huge advantage in a 50mm bell..with high power. First of all the high power enables you to detail more then ever before. (sighting in) With the high powered scopes you truly know what your gun is doing. I shoot a fixed 36x on my smallbore because where I shoot there is not much mirage from the line to 100m. But for highpower I choose to shoot a variable. On those really hot days the mirage makes the targets dance! Then I simply turn it down just a bit. Also I shoot alot in Michigan where somedays it can be very cloudy if not dark.. That 50mm will alow you to see much clearer on those days. As far as the weight is concerned the 50 will add a few ouncesthat is true. But you still first have to get your gun sighted in and be able to see the target before you do anything else. But anyway good luck
mbj
Michigan

mikek · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2005, 10:48:10 AM »

Has anyone had luck with the Weaver V-24. I have used their T-36 on a BR rig and was extremely pleased over my Leupolds but it has the micro-trac system where as I do not think the V series has this feature. I only wish they were made in the US. Thanks, for any info, Michael